San Diego State expelled two fraternities Thursday for violating university regulations. Lambda Chi Alpha and Delta Sigma Phi were both barred from participating in campus activities as recognized fraternities, reportedly because of severe violations.
Delta Sigma Phi was expelled because of a hazing incident during initiation week earlier this month when three pledges allegedly kidnapped an active fraternity member. Police said the pledges blindfolded the victim, placed him in a chokehold that caused him to lose consciousness, forced him to drink beer and drove around with him while he was restrained with duct tape for approximately 45 minutes.
"The Greek review panel found that considerable hazing had taken place during the fraternity's initiation week and the decision was made to expel the fraternity," said Jack Beresford, the director of marketing and communications at SDSU.
"All three of the Delta pledges were reportedly hazed during the week leading up to the May 1 kidnapping incident," Beresford said.
Delta Sigma Phi only had three pledges this semester, Beresford said, and it was clear that the fraternity had participated in "a widespread pattern of hazing."
"Kidnapping an active member was apparently a tradition for the fraternity, but this incident went too far," Beresford said. "(The victim) was really roughed-up."
University Police Lt. Lamine Secka said that the three individuals involved were arrested on suspicion of robbery and kidnapping. Steven Nguyen, Parhum Rezayat and Phillip Lampe were all arrested on May 2 as a result of a police investigation into the incident.
Lampe was also charged with assault with a deadly weapon for allegedly trying to choke the victim, Secka said. The three individuals were charged with robbery for reportedly taking the victim's wallet. Lambda Chi Alpha was also suspended Thursday for violating alcohol policies, Beresford said. It had been placed on suspension for violating the university alcohol policy during a March 15 party when a pledge member fell from a second floor balcony and sustained a serious neck injury. The fraternity was then accused of throwing another party involving alcohol on May 9.
"Lambda Chi had been on interim suspension when they threw the unauthorized party and that was really the final straw in terms of their status," Beresford said.
The national fraternities of both Lambda Chi Alpha and Delta Sigma Phi have said that they support the university's actions, Beresford added.
"Hopefully all the remaining fraternities will follow all the guidelines that have been set forth for them so that we don't have to go down this road again," Secka said.
Beresford said any fraternities that violate policy will also be investigated and possibly disciplined.
"The fraternities need to know that those who fragrantly violate the rules, particularly those on suspension, are going to be dealt with severely," Beresford said. The length of the expulsion will be a period of no less than four years, according to a press release from the Office of Marketing and Communications.
These expulsions were not a result of the recent drug investigation, the document states.
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